SunshineCoastRegionalReport2ndQtr2004

FEATURE ARTICLE
KEY OUTCOMES OF THE 2004/2005
QUEENSLAND BUDGET

•   $37.8 million to relieve pressure on public hospital emergency departments; and

•   An additional $24.2 million over two years for the replacement of three Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft operating from
    bases in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville.

With the phasing out of broadscale land clearing in Queensland by December 2006, the budget announced a doubling of the
Government’s funding commitment to provide a $150 million adjustment assistance package. This package will include funding to
help landholders build up existing enterprises or establish new enterprises on their land, to support rural industry groups in promoting
best practice sustainable agriculture and for incentives to support landholders willing to manage and maintain native vegetation as
part of their operation.

In other environmental protection announcements, $12.5 million was pledged for land acquisition in Cape York and the Daintree, $5
million for the Queensland Trust for Nature for public purchases of land and an additional $6 million over three years for upgrading
visitor facilities in Queensland’s National Parks.

In terms of revenue generation, the Beattie Government emphasized that Queenslanders will pay $1,614 per capita in State taxes,
compared with $2,056 per capita for the average of the other States, while the Queensland payroll tax rate is the lowest in Australia at
4.75%.

Several tax breaks were also announced, with government committing to abolishing the Bank Account Debits Tax from 1 July 2005
at a cost to revenue of around $190 million, In addition, from the 1st of May 2004 first home buyers buying a house up to $250,000
will pay no transfer duty and no mortgage duty, while those purchasing between $250,000 and $500,000 receive a transfer duty
rebate on a sliding scale.

The remainder of this feature article will summarize the key outcomes for the Sunshine Coast region.

•      $4.5 million to increase surgery services in the region’s hospitals, including a second operating theatre for Caloundra, increased
       orthopaedic surgery services in Noosa and a specialist vascular surgery service for Nambour;

•      $3 million as part of the $9 million project to establish five community-based stroke rehabilitation teams in Queensland, with
       one based in the North Coast region;

•      $3 million to increase medical inpatient services to relieve pressure on the emergency department at Caboolture Hospital;

•      $1.9 million for breast screening facilities at Nambour and $1 million for a community health centre at Kawana/ Caloundra;

•      $1 million for extra radiation oncology services for public patients at Nambour;

•      Approximately $3.57 million for emergency services on the North Coast, including funding for a replacement ambulance
       station at Narangba and 10 new fire fighters;

•      $246,000 will provide six new ambulance paramedics in the North Coast region;

•      $14.88 million will be provided for support and services to people with disabilities and their carers in the North Coast region.
       This includes approximately $2.44 million for respite care, including $1.38 million for the respite facilities at Yandina. Funding
       of $4.04 million is provided to assist adults living with disability;

•      $13.6 million for new construction, upgrades and maintenance of public housing including the renewal of 75 existing houses in
       Deception Bay;

•      Funding of $5.7 million for community housing projects and services including $2.2 million for crisis accommodation and $1.2
       million for Home Assist Secure services;

•      $23.3 million for a new school at Narangba and the purchase of land to commence planning for two new schools in the North
       Coast region under the Smart State Building Fund;

•      $2 million, including $200,000 for fit out, for the industrial arts and technology building at Maroochydore State High School;
©0, Sunshine Coast Regional Economy, Second Quarter 2004                                                                           -4-